The Education Planet

Education Across Borders: Jan’s Journey from Warsaw to Washington

In this episode of Education Planet, we sit down with Jan Kosinski Gortych, head of the Unit for Educational and Specialist Support at Poland’s Ministry of National Education and IVLP alumnus. Jan shares his incredible travel mishaps on the way to the U.S., offers insights into Poland’s inclusive education policies, and reflects on how global perspectives—from Kentucky schools for the blind to innovative school architecture—reshape his vision of learning. We explore the differences between U.S. and Polish education systems, the lasting impact of WWII on schooling in Europe, and why Jan believes AI will fundamentally transform the teacher-student relationship in the coming years. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about challenges, change, and cooperation in education worldwide.

From the Classroom to the Coast – Rosalva’s Journey Empowering Youth in Yucatán

In this heartfelt episode of The Education Planet, we sit down with Rosalva, an inspiring English teacher and educational coordinator from Yucatán, Mexico. From dreaming of being a flight attendant to becoming a passionate advocate for junior high students, Rosalva shares how she found her true calling in education. We explore: * Her personal story of becoming a teacher by chance—and falling in love with it. * The joys and challenges of teaching English in rural and urban settings across Mexico. * Her role in pioneering the “Bilingual Environments” program, empowering non-English teachers to integrate English into daily classroom routines. * How her experience as an IVLP fellow in the U.S. sparked a flood of new ideas, tools, and global connections. * Creative, community-driven solutions to budget limitations in Mexican public schools. This episode is a tribute to every teacher navigating complex realities, yet showing up with heart, resilience, and creativity every day. Rosalva’s story reminds us that sometimes the smallest actions—like a warm greeting in English—can open the biggest doors.

From Darkness to Digital Empowerment – The Story of Vashkar Bhattacharjee

Join us in this inspiring episode as we talk with Vashkar Bhattacharjee, a visionary accessibility advocate from Bangladesh. Born in a rural village and losing his sight at the age of two, Vashkar faced overwhelming odds—but through determination, innovation, and the power of technology, he became a national leader in digital inclusion. 🎧 Hear how he: * Fought for the right to education and inclusion * Built accessible solutions like multimedia talking books * Helped transform universities into inclusive spaces * Touched a moon rock during his trip to the U.S. * Uses humor, resilience, and global collaboration to drive change A heartfelt conversation about blindness, education, equity, and why Vashkar would choose technology over sight—every time.

Genesis Eakes

In this special episode, we welcome Genesis Eakes—international leadership coach, educator, and the inspiration behind this podcast! Genesis shares how she moved from the classroom to global consulting and gives powerful advice on: * 💡 Why taking action is more important than just learning * 🧠 How fear blocks creativity—and how to overcome it * 🔑 The 3 traits of people who actually do the work * 🎤 Tips for educators afraid to speak at conferences * 💖 Why knowing who you are is the key to great leadership Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or just curious about growing as a person, this episode is packed with truth, wisdom, and encouragement. 📚 Resources Mentioned: * YouTube: Transformational Leadership TV [https://www.youtube.com/@transformationalleadershiptv] * Podcasts by John Maxwell [https://www.maxwellleadership.com/podcast/] * Identity exploration [https://www.identityexchange.com/] via Identity Exchange 📌 Quote of the Day: "You don’t get your identity from the room. You bring it into the room." – Genesis Eakes

Barsha Tamang

In this inspiring episode, we welcome Barsha Tamang, co-founder and CEO of Lokopakar, an impactful youth development organization from Nepal. Barsha shares her personal journey overcoming societal stereotypes and challenges faced by young women in education. Dive deep into Lokopakar’s transformative initiatives, such as the "Strengths Together" program, creating safe spaces for girls to grow, gain confidence, and become leaders. Barsha also discusses her experiences from the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the USA, highlighting cross-cultural insights, the importance of grassroots movements, and the potential of educational technology in Nepal. Listen in to hear motivating success stories, candid reflections, and practical advice on empowering youth and fostering change in education globally.